ES2218260T3 - PACKING MACHINE AND APPLIANCE TO TIGHTEN WRAPPING BOXES. - Google Patents

Abstract

Apparatus to tighten opposed ends of a wraparound carton around an article in a stream of articles of variable size during continuous forward movement, the apparatus comprising one or more panel engaging elements (66, 67) to engage one end panel (8) of the carton, a guide assembly (60) to guide the engaged end panel into overlapping relationship with the opposed end panel (7) held by the apparatus, and tightening device (26) for tightening the carton panels around the article.

Description

Packaging machine and box tightening apparatus envelopes

The present invention relates to a machine of packed to produce wrapping packaging that is particularly suitable for treating semi-finished products that fold, fill and They close to form finished packaging. The machine turns out easily adjustable to accommodate various types of box and also to allow selected articles to pass from items to be packed through the machine without being packed.

Most known packing machines they are specialized machines that build a type of box and They apply these boxes to items of known size and shape. Without However, when the items are not of fixed dimensions then It becomes difficult to automate the packaging process. An example of these types are food products, for example those of Poultry

The prior art known in relation to the conformation of wrapping packages are provided by, for example, the content of US documents No. 3 543 473 A, which corresponds to the preamble of claim 1, US No. 3 815 320 A, US No. 4 338 760 A, US No. 4 243 143 A and GB 1 114 685 A. All these memories of patent discloses semi-finished tightening devices envelopes around items to be packed and the US patent reports refer particularly to clamping means with which panels are joined together that overlap a semifinished box and lock both mutually by means of locking lugs or glued together so that the wrap sleeve is a tight fit around The items packed. GB 1 114 685 A discloses a packaging machine in which various means of folding and shaping to form wrapping boxes but not successively includes transfer means to transfer Selected items on a semi-finished box while said semifinished is arranged between the first and second folding stations.

An aspect of the invention provides an apparatus for squeeze the opposite ends of a wrap box around an article of a stream of articles of variable size during continuous forward movement. The device comprises one or several panel coupling elements for coupling a box end panel, said mounts being mounted coupling element or elements in a guide assembly movable in a direction transverse to the path of Feeding boxes to attach the end panel and guide the end panel coupled to an overlapping relationship with the opposite end panel retained by the apparatus. This includes also a clamping device to tighten the box panels around the article in which said clamping device includes elastic deflection means to make the coupling element travel relative to the means of guide from a deployed position to a retracted position when the desired panel voltage is reached to thereby release the docked end panel.

Optionally, the transverse displacement of the coupling element and guide assembly in relation to the box perpendicular to the feeding direction of the box is determined by cam means. Preferably, the cam means comprise a fixed cam path in which movably adjusts a cam pusher coupled to the guide set.

According to another optional feature of this aspect of the invention, the guide assembly may be mounted on a continuous conveyor in a plane parallel to a conveyor of box.

According to an additional optional feature of this aspect of the invention said guide assembly can also comprise means for fixing panels to make the opposite ends of the box are arranged in relation to face contact for attachment to them.

According to another optional feature of this aspect of the invention, the panel fixing means are also provided by a face of the guide assembly, guiding said face the panels that overlap towards their contact.

According to another optional feature of this aspect of the invention, a tail gun can be provided planned to apply a glue layer to one of the panels of end to fix said end panels in disposition of overlap.

A second aspect of the invention provides a packaging machine for continuous shaping and loading wrapping boxes with one or more items, for example products of poultry, which comprise side and end walls opposite, said machine including an article conveyor To transport the items through the machine. It is planned  in it a box feeding apparatus to supply sequentially successive boxes from a supply available flat folding up to a machine forming station and about panel folding devices fold the box into a partially erect disposition. They are adapted in the machine about support means for coming into contact with the box during the scroll down, so that the box stays in a vertically raised arrangement, and a loading apparatus of items to load at least one item at one end of the box.

Said packaging machine further comprises a box tightening apparatus as described above according to the invention.

Below are some ways to embodiment only by way of example, referring to the drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a plan view of one type of box supplied in a flat folded position suitable for your use with a machine according to the invention;

Figure 2 is a perspective view of a machine according to an aspect of the invention;

Figure 3 is a plan view showing the simplified packaging process on the machine represented in the figure 2;

Figure 4 is a perspective view of the feeding stations and forming the supply of boxes of the machine shown in figure 2;

Figure 5 is a perspective view of the supply of machine items represented in the figure two;

Figure 6 is a view of an outlet end for feeding the machine shown in figure 2;

Figures 7 and 8 illustrate the tightening apparatus adapted for use with the box shown in the figure one;

The machine according to the embodiment of the present invention illustrated in the drawings may set different types and forms of box and load one or more items, for example food products.

Referring to the drawings and, in particular to figure 1 thereof, a example of a semi-finished 12 to form a support of Items to receive the or each item. The semi-finished one is made from suitable folding sheet material, by cardboard example. In the illustrated example, semi-finished 10 includes a plurality of panels 4, 5, 6, each of them coupled articulated to the following to form a packaging envelope The semi-finished 10 further comprises fins of opposite fixing 7, 8 for fixing with each other. They are planned glued fins to fix opposite end walls each. Panels 3, 3a are provided to form structures extreme that are "cup-shaped" to receive and retain An item inside the box. Openings 9 are planned to receive the lugs of the machine during the construction of The box described below.

It is planned that the semi-workers can vary according to the form and / or the quantity of items to be be packed and therefore a machine according to the present invention it is adjustable in many ways so that you can process a wide variety of elaborated sayings.

Referring below to the figures 2 and 3 of the drawings, there is shown a machine 10 for form boxes from semi-finished ones, of which it is described An example below. The packaging machine can shape and continuously load boxes and comprises a conveyor of articles 18 for transporting articles A through the machine, a box feeding apparatus 14 to supply sequentially successive semi-finished 12 from a supply in flat folded arrangement to a forming station 16 of the machine. One or more folding devices 36, 40 are used to fold the semi-finished one so that it is wrapped around of the article, a support means 54 adapted to be carried to come into contact with the box during the current movement  below so that the box is kept in raised position vertically An item loading station 24 is planned to load at least one item in the partially erect box. Then the ends of the box are fixed together in the box fixing station, before returning it to the conveyor 18 at the power outlet end of the machine.

Returning to the construction of the machine of the present invention in greater detail; the end of upstream of the machine referring to figures 4 and 5 showing the box feeding apparatus 14 which it comprises a hopper containing a plurality of boxes C in Flat folded layout ready for treatment. The boxes are removed from hopper 14 sequentially by a mechanism of feed 30, which in this embodiment is a rotary vacuum feeder 32, as is well known in the technique.

Although the use of a rotary vacuum feeder 32 to supply boxes to the conveyor, it is planned that other types of known feeder mechanisms without departing from the scope of the invention.

Preferably, hopper 14 is of a type of "gravity feeding" whereby semi-finished 12 are kept in hopper 14 at an inclination to provide a positive downstream feed.

In use, the rotary feeder 32 supplies boxes continuously and sequentially from hopper 14 to the machine feed end and comprises an axis main 33 mounted on a horizontal plane, which rotates the collection means 35 in the direction indicated by the arrow "A", represented in Figure 4. As the means of collection 35 rotate, take suction cups (not shown) to contact a semi-finished wall 12. A a vacuum is then applied to the suction cup assembly by vacuum supply, as is well known, and the semi-finished 12 and is then transferred on a endless conveyor 34 to move it downstream in a forward direction continues to a forming station of boxes 16 and on the charging station 22, represented in the figure 2.

The forming station 16 includes a plurality of panel folding devices 36, 38, 40 that are used for semi-finished products that are required to fold in a envelope structure. The folding device is used to perform successive folding actions in the semi-finished one. In first, semi-finished 12 is collected by means of grab, for example, conveyor belts 38, represented in Fig. 4. The first folding device 36 folds the semi-finished around the fold line between the panels 5 and 6 and towards a substantially perpendicular relationship so that panel 4 is in a substantially vertical plane for its maintenance in place by means of guide 40. A then the intermediate folding device 43 and 54 makes the end structures formed in the panels are lifted 3.

As shown in Figure 4, the device folded 36, in this embodiment, comprises a sheet swivel 37 mounted on suitable drive means (not represented), for example a servomotor. The engine is regulated by means of adequate control means, which can cause vary the rotating speed of the blade. Said sheet 37 is preferably a disk "segment" and has an edge front 39 that hits the semi-finished one during the rotation to Start folding. Then the inner surface of the sheet rests on panel 4 to be folded and makes it continue folding as described above. Panels 4 and 8 of semi-finished are kept lifted by a fixed guide 40.

The intermediate folding device 43, 54 comprises a box support lug 54 that is formed preferably to shape the shape of the end structure from the box. In this embodiment, the lug is shaped cup to make the end panels 3, 3a and to support panels 5, 6 and 4. Box support 54 is mounted in an endless conveyor, for example a chain set with side lugs 43. Thus, as the semi-finished 12 is coupled with the support lug is made that panels 3 and 3a fold out of the plane of panel 5 and thus enter contact with cup-shaped surfaces. The structure of end is formed in a recessed part to receive part of the article in the charging station 22.

In order to complete the construction of the box in a shaped arrangement, the partially erect box and the lug 54 travels downstream by the conveyor 43. Semi-finished can be supported and moved forward by another suitable conveyor to maintain the  alignment between panels 5 and 4. The chain assembly with side lugs are operated by means of drive suitable that are regulated by a controller. Can be foreseen fixed guides (not shown) to minimize the upward movement of the box.

Figure 5 shows that the box partially erect C is pushed forward towards the station of charge 22 to be loaded with one or more items. In this embodiment, the machine is adapted to load Semi-finished poultry products.

Items are supplied to the station load on a second conveyor 18 that travels parallel and can be synchronized in the same direction X with the first conveyor 16. In some embodiments, the items They are separated by known measuring means. The present invention can also switch between an operational arrangement, with which items A are selected from conveyor 18 for transfer to the charging station, and an inoperative arrangement, with which items pass through the machine over the conveyor 18, without being packed in an outer box C.

In an operational provision, a Article 20 transfer mechanism to push the Selected items towards the box in the Y direction, represented in figure 3. In the embodiment illustrated in the figures 2 and 5, mechanism 20 comprises a plurality of elements of guide 45 mounted on an endless chain 46 to impart in this way a lateral displacement to the article to remove it from the second conveyor 18. The endless chain 46 is driven by means of suitable drive means for synchronization with the article conveyor 42 and an intermediate conveyor 48.

The intermediate conveyor 48 may be provided in the area where, for example, the first and second Conveyors 16, 18 are not synchronized. The article is transports downstream to the transfer device 20. In this embodiment, the transfer device is a raised chain assembly 50 with a plurality of lugs 52. However, other known types of conveyor without departing from the scope of the invention. The lugs 52 are attached to the article and transferred in a continuous forward movement towards the charging station 22. The lugs 52 are preferably synchronized with the displacement of the box C and are at an angle to the forward scroll to make the item and the box gradually fit as shown in figure 5.

Next, box C and the article continue downstream by lug 54 and conveyor 43 and it continues the conformation of the box, with which the seconds folding means comprising guides 44 and 56 are coupled to the vertical panel 4 to fold around article A in order to wrap it around it as shown in figure 2. The end panels 7, 8 of the box are fixed together to Complete the packing process.

Like items treated by machine of the present invention will probably vary in size, it turns out difficult to produce a standard box for the item that keeps it packed safely. Therefore, it is convenient to incorporate another aspect of the invention consisting of a device of box tightening, indicated by reference number 26 in the Figure 3. In general, the device 26 is coupled to a end of the box and pull it towards the opposite end of the box, until it reaches the desired voltage level. The Semi-finished end panels 7, 8 are in an arrangement overlap so that they can be fixed together glue or other suitable means known in the art. For the Therefore, if the article is small, the end panels 7 and 8 of the semifinished are forced to overlap over a distance greater than If the item is bigger. Figure 1 illustrates two possible positions B and D of the position of the panel end 8 on the panel 7: position B is when the item is large and the D position is when the item is smaller.

The preferred configuration of the device Case tightening 26 is illustrated in Figures 6, 7 and 8. Said device comprises a plurality of guide assemblies 60 mounted on an endless conveyor 58. Said conveyor without end is parallel to conveyor 16 so that the sets of guide move in the same direction X as the article and the box. Suitable drive means drive the conveyor 58 and a controller is provided to regulate the position and speed of the guide assemblies for your synchronization with box C and lug 54.

The guide assemblies 60 are movable in a lateral plane by means of a cam profile 78 and a pusher of cam 74 mounted on said guide assemblies. In figures 7 and 8 a preferred embodiment of the assembly of guide. The assembly 60 comprises one or more elements 66, 67 mounted on a corresponding profile 68 to allow the elements move in a planar direction Z (figure 8). Each element is mounted on a support element 70 which in turn is mounted on a shaft. The support element 70 is deflected by spring diversion means 72 to be arranged in a extended position indicated as the K position in figure 7. The deflection means may comprise a compression spring or another known elastic deflection element. The body 76 of guide assembly is mounted on a guide rail 79 for allow lateral displacement as the pusher of cam follows cam profile 78.

In its use, elements 66, 67 are carried to its alignment with the apparatus 9 of the box, folding the panel 8 out of alignment with panel 4. The guide assembly moves laterally using the cam profile to make the elements fit into openings 9 as shown in the Figure 8. Glue is applied to panel 8 using a glue gun 65 and as the boxes move downstream, the guide assembly continues to move laterally towards the Article A. This displacement causes panels 4 and 8 to be wrap around article A and in a relationship of overlay with panel 7. Guide sets continue moving laterally so that the box panels are tense The degree of tension is determined by the means elastic 72, so that once the packaging has reached the desired tension level the springs 72 will be compressed which will do that the body 70 and the elements 66, 67 move in the opposite direction towards the guide assembly 60. This action causes the upper flat face 88 of the guide assembly slides by under panel 8 and towards panel 7. Next, take the panel 8 to come into contact with panel 7 for fixing to same in position L of figure 7. Pressure is applied to the end fins because the article is seated on the face 88 with panels 7, 8 arranged between them.

The cam profile makes the displacement side of guide assembly 60 is reversed to facilitate separation of elements 66, 67 from the box and the means of deviation cause the elements to return to the position of repose.

As the packaging moves along the overlapping panels of the machine overlapping panels can be arranged on a plate 80 (figure 6) to collaborate with The gluing process. Suitable guide means are coupled to the packing P, shown in figure 6, and transfer it again to article conveyor 42 at the exit end. In this embodiment the guide means comprise a set of raised chain 82 and a lug 84 and a fixed guide 86.

Machine 10 includes a controller arranged to regulate the speed of the conveyors 16, 18, 48, 82 during use so that speeds can be achieved between 40 and 60 packages per minute. Said controller it can be a specialized processor that regulates individual conveyors and the guide assembly or they can be about control means for a packaging machine. Alternatively, the controller may preferably be a servo control system Programmable, known.

In some embodiments, the controller receives information from a sensor (not shown) willing to detect the speed of continuous conveyors; which can detect the speed of the belt and / or the position of the item or box directly. In addition, the device may include means in the form of a sensor to receive information regarding the speed of the boxes in the conveyor which is transmitted to the control means. Alternatively, there may be a means manual input through which you can enter in the control means the speed of the boxes in the path of feeding.

By pre-programming the system control, the required machine settings can be preset to change the packaging of one type of box to another type of box.

According to the present invention, the operating speed of the device as well as its efficiency and duration. An advantage of the present invention is flexibility offered by the system.

The packaging machine can change of one type or box size to another with a minimum downtime.

It will be appreciated that the invention is not limited to boxes for poultry products. The invention can be used. with machines to pack cans, cartons, bottles and other containers in boxes, but it is particularly useful in the case in which the size of the article may vary.

In addition, the various elements of the machine, by example box handling devices, folding devices, the forming station, charging station or means of Box tightening can be manufactured separately as a module for its incorporation into new machines or supplied for a renewal without departing from the scope of the invention.

It will be understood that the lifting mechanism of boxes and the clamping mechanism of the invention have been illustrated referring to a specific embodiment and that numerous modifications are possible within the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims. The box tightening mechanism can treat boxes that comprise numerous configurations or groups of items that cover a range of sizes and box shapes, without using a undue time in the adjustment of the mechanism.

Claims (8)

1. Apparatus for tightening the opposite ends of a wrapping box around an article of a stream of articles of varying size during continuous forward movement, said apparatus comprising one or more panel coupling elements (66, 67) for coupling a end panel (8) of the box, said coupling element or elements being mounted in a guide assembly (60) movable in a transverse direction towards a box feed path for coupling the end panel and guiding the end panel coupled in overlapping relationship with the opposite end panel (7) retained by the apparatus, and a clamping device (26) for tightening the box panels around the article, characterized in that said clamping device includes elastic deflection means ( 72) to cause the coupling element to move relative to the guide assembly from an unfolded position to a po If the desired panel voltage is reached to release the coupled end panel. 2. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the transverse displacement of the coupling element (66, 67) and of the guide assembly (60) in relation to the box perpendicular to The feeding direction of the boxes is determined by cam means (78). 3. Apparatus according to claim 2, wherein wherein the cam means (78) comprise a fixed cam profile in which a cam pusher coupled to the guide assembly (60) It fits in a sliding way. 4. Device according to any of the claims 1 to 3, wherein the guide assembly (60) is mounted on a continuous conveyor (58) in a plane parallel to a box conveyor 5. Apparatus according to any of the claims 1 to 4, wherein it further comprises some panel fixing means (65, 88) to make the ends Opposites (7, 8) of the box are arranged in contact relationship of faces for fixing each other. 6. Apparatus according to claim 5, wherein panel fixing means are also provided by means of a face (88) of the guide assembly, said face guiding the Overlapping panels (7, 8) towards your contact. 7. Apparatus according to claim 6, wherein a glue gun (65) is provided to apply a layer of glue to one of the end panels (8) to fix the panels end in an overlay arrangement. 8. Packaging machine for forming and loading of Continuously wrapping boxes with one or more items, by example poultry products, which comprise side walls and opposite ends, said machine including a conveyor of items (18) to transport the items through the machine, a box feeding apparatus (14) to deliver sequentially successive boxes from a supply available flat folding to a forming station (16) of the machine, panel folding devices (36, 38, 40) to fold the box in a partially erect arrangement, support means (54) adapted to come into contact with the box during its scroll down, so that the box is kept in a vertically raised arrangement, and a charging apparatus of items to load at least one item at one end of the box, in which it further comprises a clamping apparatus of boxes (26) according to any one of claims 1 to 7.